Roselle Catholic coach Dave Boff said in a Thursday telephone interview that Roberson wants to declare his decision so he can concentrate on his senior basketball season.

"There are some kids who are willing to go through their senior years with this hanging over them," Boff said. "Other kids don't want to have the added burdens on their mind. It's stressful. He looks worn. He's got something constantly on his mind."

Boff caught his first glimpse of Roberson when Roberson played as a sophomore for Union High School. Boff considered him "strictly a post player" back then.

But between his sophomore and junior years of high school, Roberson transferred to Roselle Catholic and transformed his game. Suddenly, Boff said, Roberson could put the ball on the floor and get past defenders. His shooting range reached to "23-24 feet." He started to attack the offensive glass with purpose.

"He's probably the best rebounder in the state," Boff said.

Boff predicts Roberson's best basketball stretches out in front of him. He will play small forward for his high school team, though Boff said he will not hesitate to use him in the post against certain opponents.

"We're pretty big," said Boff, "so that allows us to slide him to the perimeter."

Boff said he dropped off Roberson after Thursday's basketball practice. Before he got out of the car, Boff asked him whether he'd made a final decision. Roberson told him he and his family would talk it over Thursday night to know for sure.

Syracuse has already received commitments from four players from the Class of 2013; Ron Patterson, a 6-3 guard from Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, Tyler Ennis, a 6-3 point guard from St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, B.J. Johnson, a 6-foot-7 small forward from Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa., and Chinonso Obokoh, a 6-10 center from Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester.

Chris McCullough, a Class of 2014 forward who attends Brewster Academy, has also made a verbal commitment to the Orange.